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Not one Scot makes the cut in Lewis Moody's Six Nations 'Greatest XV'
Former England skipper Lewis Moody has picked a swashbuckling Greatest Six Nations XV, but there isn’t any room for Scots or Italians.
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Moody, who won 71 caps for England between 2001-2011, is the latest legend to be asked for his his ultimate XV from the tournament, but despite Scotland and Italy contesting the first match in the tournament’s history in the year 2000, none impressed Moody enough to make the cut.
Moody lined up against Scotland four times as a player, winning two, with a one loss and draw a piece, while he won all his Six Nations games he played against the Azzurri.
Nick named ‘Mad Dog’ for his total lack of regard for his own physical wellbeing, Moody would have faced some of the great Scottish and Italian names of the professional era. The England backrow would have competed against the likes of Jason White, Gregor Townsend, John Barclay and Tom Smith during his career than span the entirety of the noughties.
In total Moody selected eight Englishmen, three Welsh, three Irishmen and one Frenchman.
Arguably the biggest omission is Italian No.8 Sergio Parisse, who loses out to current Welsh forward Taulupe Faletau and doesn’t even get a mention. “Taulupe is not even 30 yet but it feels like he has been around forever, such is his longevity and class. In his pomp, I’m not sure if there was a better No.8 around at the time. My old friend Lawrence Dallaglio is a very narrow second but I think I have had enough Englishmen!”
Maybe his most interesting choice is Matt Perry at fullback. British and Irish Lion Perry enjoyed a relatively short but fruitful tenure with England. He scored 1o tries in four years and 30 appearances with the Red Rose and was a star of the Lions tour of Australia. The Bath full-back played all three tests for the Lions in 2001 but never played international rugby after the tour.
“I was lucky to have played with some great full-backs and Matt was so, so, so good. He was so consistent, solid and dependable and I didn’t see anyone beat him under the high ball, which – considering he was so skinny – is remarkable,” says Moody.
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He explains his choices on the Six Nations website, which you can view here.
LEWIS MOODY’S GREATEST SIX NATIONS XV
1 Phil Vickery
2 Keith Wood
3 Adam Jones
4 Martin Johnson
5 Paul O’Connell
6 Thierry Dusautoir
7 Neil Back
8 Taulupe Faletau
9 Rob Howley
10 Jonny Wilkinson
11 Ben Cohen
12 Will Greenwood
13 Brian O’Driscoll
14 Jason Robinson
15 Matt Perry
Comments on RugbyPass
Ah, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
22 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
22 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
22 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
22 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
22 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
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